England star refused to sing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot over anthem's origins

23 September 2023 , 04:00

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Maro Itoje previously sang the anthem, until he learnt about its past

England star Maro Itoje has made it known that he won't sing the iconic 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' anthem after learning of its origins.

The tune is the song most synonymous with England rugby fans, often bellowed out at Twickenham, but Itoje made it known that, despite singing it in the past, he wouldn't be joining in anymore.

Itoje, who has been a mainstay with England since making his debut in 2016, was born in London to Nigerian parents and said several years ago that the background to the song was "complicated". Last summer though he hammered home his fresh stance, claiming he was "naive" to have ever sung it.

He told French publication L'Equipe: "I’m not going to tell people what they should or shouldn’t do but, personally, I won’t sing this song anymore. I sang it before when I was naive and didn’t know its origins but, knowing now the context in the creation of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, it’s not an anthem that I’m going to repeat anymore."

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot was composed by Wallis Willis, an African American slave in the 1800s. The song is understood to have first been introduced at Twickenham in 1987 in tribute to Martin Offiah, but its popularity later rose further after another black player, Chris Oti, scored a hat-trick against Ireland the following year.

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Itoje has told the BBC : “The context in which it was originally sung was with African American individuals to try and give them strength, give them hope. What makes me uncomfortable was its introduction with it being sung for Martin Offiah, it being sung for Chris Oti, who are obviously two black players that played the game at Twickenham."

England fans have sung the iconic song for decades (World Rugby via Getty Images)

Several sporting authorities have reviewed such historic connotations and the RFU were no different as they conducted a review of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot's use back in 2020, but chose not to ban the song, concluding most fans were unaware of its origins.

Itoje, alongside his job as a rugby player, has taken on a role as an activist and public campaigner during his playing career. He was vocal in his support for the Black Lives Matter movement with the Saracens forward stating: “Rugby has given me so much and I am grateful. But it has also given me a voice to celebrate some of the issues and causes that are close to my heart.”

Itoje has featured in both of England's wins at the Rugby World Cup. He helped the team make the final in Japan four years ago, although expectations are lessened this time round after a poor build-up to the tournament. Itoje's own level dropped but he opened up on the reasons behind that, citing an "underlying health condition" back in March.

Samuel Meade